Diplomate Program

The diplomate program is designed for BELS-Certified editors who have had extensive experience in scientific communication in English and who are highly proficient.

The Procedure

The procedure comprises two steps: applying for candidacy and, once accepted, submitting a portfolio of edited material with a statement of circumstances surrounding the editing and two short essays on topics selected from a list provided by BELS.

Eligibility

To be eligible for diplomate status, the candidate must have been a Board-Certified editor for at least 2 years and be able to document at least 6 years of editorial experience.

If you fulfill the criteria described above, you are invited to fill out the Application for Diplomate Candidacy and submit it to the BELS Diplomate Registrar with the application fee of $100.

Acceptance

If you are accepted for diplomate candidacy, you will receive a portfolio guide. The guide provides you with information about the required elements that must be included for your portfolio to be considered for review. You will have two (2) years in which to submit your portfolio along with a $300 evaluation fee. If your portfolio fulfills the criteria, the BELS Diplomate Registrar will choose three reviewers, all of whom are BELS Diplomate Editors. Once the reviewers' scores have been tabulated, you will be informed whether you have passed and earned the ELS(D) designation.

If your first try was not successful, you may resubmit your revised portfolio with the $300 application fee any time within your two (2) years of eligibility.